New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Plans for largest ever MENA solar plant
7/12/2022
News
Plans have been announced for a 2,060 MW solar PV plant to be built in Saudia Arabia’s Makkah province, which is claimed will be the largest facility of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) to date.
Badeel, a wholly-owned company of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and ACWA Power have signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) to develop the facility in Al Shuaibah, Saudi Arabia. Once commissioned in 4Q2025, the plant should produce enough electricity to power 350,000 homes.
The project will be jointly owned by Badeel and ACWA Power, with each company holding a 50% equity stake through the establishment of a new dedicated joint venture, Shuaibah Two Electrical Energy Company. The electricity produced will be sold to Saudi Power Procurement Company.
Commenting on the news, Mohammad Abunayyan, ACWA Power Chairman, says: ‘Solar power is a key component in unlocking positive economic, environmental and social outcomes for the betterment of communities across our great nation. We remain committed to developing local capabilities in technology, supply chain, and talent and ensure they are realised to their fullest potential.’
